Evaluation of a group-based parenting intervention for parents of young people diagnosed with ADHD in a community NHS Child Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) (Gonzalez, Afelumo, Stephens, Haizel, Sala, 2019)
Gonzalez R. Afelumo M. Stephens S. Haizel H. Sala R.
ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders 2019;11(1 Supplement): S46.
Objectives: To examine the effect of a Group-Based parenting intervention (PI) for young people diagnosed with ADHD in a community CAMHS service. We hypothesized that the perceived overall parents' experience and satisfaction of the ADHD Group-Based PI will be positive with an improvement of young people's behavioural symptoms. Method(s): The ADHD Group-Based PI at CAMHS-Newham (East London) is a 6-week group programme for parents of young people with ADHD. Its run by two senior systemic family psychotherapists. Session content includes: psychoeducation, impact of ADHD on young people/family, positive relationships within family and parental self-care. This is a mixed methods evaluation using qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data was derived from in-depth interviews with 8 parents using purposive sampling. Findings from Thematic Analysis will be integrated with quantitative results. Quantitative analyses included: change in ADHD symptoms (hyperactivity) and conduct problems (CD and ODD symptoms). The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaires was collected from 30 families pre-and-post ADHD Group-Based PI. Data indicating change in hyperactivity, CP and parental efficacy was analyzed using independent and paired samples t-tests, to examine between and within group differences. Result(s): Males comprised 82% of the sample, and about half were on ADHD medication. There were significant decreases on CP scores, and an increase in parental efficacy scores post-treatment (all p<0.001). So far qualitative findings indicate a positive experience with increased parental confidence, specifically in improving the selfesteem of their children diagnosed with ADHD-and confidence in mention of parenting strategies like praise, reward and firm boundaries. Conclusion(s): Given that the ADHD Group-Based PI is the first-line treatment for young people as per NICE guidance, the present service evaluation will improve the quality of this intervention to young people and their families with deprived socio-economic backgrounds and inner-city young people with comorbid CP.